USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > History of Worcester, Massachusetts, from its earliest settlement to September, 1836 : with various notices relating to the history of Worcester County > Part 37
USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > History of Worcester, Massachusetts, from its earliest settlement to September, 1836 : with various notices relating to the history of Worcester County > Part 37
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41
In 1822, by a general movement, the plan was revived and sub- scriptions opened for a survey, completed in October, of the same year. Acts of incorporation were obtained for distinct companies in each state, subseqently united, July 5, 1825, under the name of the Blackstone Canal Company. In 1824, the excavation was com- menced in Rhode Island ; in 1826, the first carth was removed in Massachusetts, near Thomas street. The first boat which passed through the whole extent, arrived at the upper basin, Oct. 7, 1828.
Three Commissioners had been elected in each state, acting in cooperation during the construction : on the union, the same gen- tlemen were elected on one board : they were Edward Carrington, Moses B. Ives, and Stephen HI. Smith of Providence, John Davis, John W. Lincoln, and Sylvanus Holbrook of Massachusetts. For some time past, Thomas Burgess has had the sole direction. The ex- pense of the work was about $750,000. Of this amount more than
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340
RAIL ROADS.
half a million of dollars was paid by the citizens of Rhode Island, and the work, projected by the intelligence was principally executed by the capital of our sister state.
The canal has been more useful to the public, than to the owners : the amount of transportation, however, has increased.
The BOSTON AND WORCESTER RAIL ROAD was incorporated, June 23, 1831. The road, extending 44 miles eastward, is laid with a single track of edge rails, on cast iron chairs, resting on wooden sleepers, bedded in trenches filled with stone. The cost of construction has been $1500000, including land, labor, cars, engines, and buildings. Passenger cars, go in each direction, three times daily during the warm months, and twice in the cold season, except on Sundays. The time is from 23 to 3 hours, inclu- ding stops at ten places : the fare has been $1 50, but in the autumn of 1836, was raised to 82. The freight of merchandize from Bos- ton to Worcester, by the ton, is $3 50 : from Worcester to Boston $3. A branch rail road is soon to be laid to Millbury.
About a mile from the depot on Main street, the road passes through a deep cutting of the slate rock about 30 feet in its greatest depth, and extending about 30 rods. The strata are almost per- pendicnlar, and were removed from their beds by a laborious pro- cess of blasting.
THE NORWICH AND WORCESTER RAIL ROAD COMPANY Was incorporated March 26, 1833. A charter had been previously ob- tained in Connecticut, for the route within her jurisdiction, at the May session, 1832. By an act of this Commonwealth, April 10, and of that state, May 1836, the two companies were united. From Norwich to Worcester is 58 miles : to Boston 102. The work of construction is now advancing. The capital stock is $1500000.
The WESTERN RAIL ROAD CORPORATION was established, March 15, 1833, for the purpose of building a rail road from the western termination of the Boston and Worcester Rail Road to Connecti- cut River in Springfield, and thence across the stream to the wes- tern boundary of the state, where it will connect with rail roads in progress, one to Albany, one to Troy, and one to Hudson. The stock of $3000000 has been subscribed, two thirds by individu- als, and one third by the state, and a portion of the road located.
1 A statement of the amount of transportation by the Canal and Rail Road, will be found in the appendix.
341
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS. It is a curious circumstance that the earli- est provision for the erection of any county building, in a commu- nity of moral, orderly, and religious habits, should relate to the con- finement of malefactors.
At the first meeting of the Court of General Sessions of the Peace, Sept. 2, 1731, it was ordered, that a prison should be built, and that, with his consent, the house of William Jennison,1 should be used as a temporary gaol : a suitable cage was to be built in the back part, and the liberties of the yard were to extend 20 feet on the south side and east end.
In February following, the court ordered, ' that in lieu of the pris- on before appointed, the cage so called, already built, be removed to the chamber of the house of Daniel Heywood,2 and be the gaol until the chamber be suitably finished for a gaol, and then the cham- ber be the gaol for the county, and the cage remain as one of the apartments.' Ilere the prisoners were confined until they were placed in the building, erected in 1733,3 41 feet long, 18 feet wide, with 8 feet studs : the prison part was 18 feet square, made of white oak timber, set with studs, 4 inches thick and 5 inches broad, and floored, roofed and ceiled with two inch plank spiked together. A dungeon was stoned under : the other end, finished as a dwelling house, became part of the Butman tavern, and was destroyed by fire Dec. 23, 1824.
In 1753, a new gaol was built a few rods south of the former pris- on, 38 feet long, 28 feet wide, with 7 feet posts. The south end was studded with joist six inches square, set five inches apart, and filled between with stone and mortar. The top, sides, and floor, were covered inside and out, with oak plank, fastened with a pro- fuse use of iron spikes, and doors, windows, and partitions were hear- ily grated.
Notwithstanding these precautions for security, many effected escape, and the wooden gaol becoming too infirm for the confinement of dangerous persons, a structure of massive granite, 64 by 32 feet, three stories in height, was ordered to be erected in Dec. 1784, on land granted by the Commonwealth, and £500 were appropriated for the expense. This was completed Sept. 4, 1788, and Mr. Thom- as remarks, ' this is judged to be at least the second stone building of consequence in the Commonwealth ; none being thought superior
1 Occupied by Dr. Oliver Fiske in 1836. 2 Part of the buildings of the Central Hotel. 3 On land of Stephen Salisbury, Esq. east of the south extremity of Lincoln street.
4
342
COURT HOUSE.
except the Stone Chapel in Boston : that is built of hewn stone ; the stones of this are mostly as they were taken from the quarry. The master workman, Mr. John Parks of Groton, has acquired great credit for the ingenuity and fidelity with which he has executed the work. A great saving must be experienced from the new building, as, without some convulsion of nature, it is not probable that it will need any repairs, excepting the roof, for two or three centuries.' And he adds ' that the capaciousness of the building will make it answer for a work house, and save the county the expense of erect- ing one.'
The course of nature went on undisturbed, but the increase of crime and the improvements of discipline, prevented the permanen- cy which was expected by the founders. The 'capaciousness ' was insufficient for modern use, and in April 1835, the gaol was transfer- red to the House of Correction : the land and buildings were sold, and the prison demolished.
COURT HOUSES. It was ordered, August 8, 1732, that a suitable and convenient court house be built on land given by William Jen- nison, Esq. and a committee was instructed to inform those who had an interest in lands in the county, and especially in the town of Worcester, which, by that town's being made the shire town, are greatly advanced, of the court's intention ; and to know what any of them. will be pleased to give towards building and adorning the house.' This building, placed very near the site of the present edifice, was of wood, 36 feet long, 26 feet wide, with 13 feet posts. Until its completion, courts were held in the meeting house. The address of Chief Justice John Chandler, of Woodstock, delivered Feb. S, 1734, at the opening of the Courts of General Sessions and Common Pleas, published in the Boston Weekly Reheasal, Feb. 18, 1734, shows the ideas of beauty and magnificence entertained in that pe- riod.
Taking occasion to speak from 'some instances of the Divine Providence remarkably favorable to us,' he says, ' It demands our observation and acknowledgment, . . .. that we are now entered into a new and beautiful house, erected purposely for the reception and entertainment of the courts, which for the future are to be held within the same, at the occurring seasons thereof: an article that I know not the like in any county within this province, so soon af- ter the constitution thereof, it being but about thirty months since we held our first court.' ' It is our duty on this occasion,
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COURT HOUSE.
. very thankfully to acknowledge the good hand of God's Prov- idence upon us, who has stirred up and opened the hearts of sundry worthy gentlemen, some of whom live in other parts of the province, to be benefactors to us, by assisting us in our infant state to erect and beautify so agreeable a house as we are in the possession of, and which exceeds so many others in the province built for the like ser- vice, in the capaciousness, regularity, and workmanship thereof: so that those who have business to be transacted here, may now and henceforth, be suitably and conveniently accommodated with room, while they attend the courts, without intruding on that which we have been necessitated to use hitherto, though designedly built for anoth- er purpose. 'To God, be the glory ascribed, as the unmerited effects of the Divine Favor to us : notwithstanding which, our benefactors and their benefactions, should be very gratefully remembered by us.'
After a few years, the edifice thus commemorated, was found to be too small for the purposes of its erection, and a new court house was ordered to be built March 16, 1751, of greater dimensions. It was 36 feet by 40 in size, and after being the temple of justice forty years, was converted into a dwelling house, and still stands at the in- tersection of Franklin and Green streets.
The increasing business of the county requiring larger accommo- dations, the present court house was commenced in 1801 and open- ed Sept. 27, 1803.1 The lower story is appropriated for county of- fices : the next contains the court room and lobbies for jurors.
The following inscription on a silver plate inclosed in a leaden
! In the charge of Chief Justice Robert Treat Paine, Sept. 27, 1803, to the grand ju- ry, he says, ' We meet you with great pleasure at this first opportunity of our assembling with you to attend the administration of justice within the walls of this magnificent building. On this occasion, we can but recolleet what has been said, that when the pro- posal, in 1731, was made, in General Court, for ereeting this County, some great politician of that day, [Gov. Hutchinson, ] ohjeeted to it, because, from the then ap- pearanee of the country, it must be a great length of time before it would be an object for county jurisdiction ; and that there are some now, who well remember when the territory which composes this county, was, in many parts, but thinly inhabited, and but just emerging from a wilderness state of uncultivated roughness : and until our happy revolution took place, its appearance was but small in comparison of what we now be- hold. The grandeur of this building is a striking proof of that prosperity of the inhab- itants, which flowed from the fruitful fountain, the revolution, and the good government and wholesome laws consequent upon it. And we also, can but consider it as strong evidence of the good disposition of the inhabitants, respecting social and political regu- lations ; of their determination to support the constitution and government of this Com- monwealth and the due administration of justice among them ; seeing they have made such ample provision therefor. May these walls remain consecrated to the pure admin- istration of Justice ; here may the injured always find redress, the oppressed be reliev- ed, and the disturbers of public peace and welfare be brought to condign punishment.'
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1
344
HOUSE OF CORRECTION.
box, with several ancient silver coins of Massachusetts, (shillings and sixpences,) and some modern money, was deposited in a cavity cut for the purpose in the lower corner stone of the hewn under- pinning on the south east.
' The corner stone was laid Oct. 1, 1801, by Isaiah Thomas, Esq. who with William Caldwell, Esq. Sheriff of the County, and Hon. Salem Towne, were appointed a committee for building and com- pleting this (now intended) Court House. The old Court House now stands two feet southeast from this spot, 1801.'
William Lancaster of Boston, was employed as master workman of the exterior, and Mr. Baxter, of the interior.
The cost of the court house, furniture for the public offices, and brick walls of the yard, with a part of the stone walls, iron railings, and embankments in front, was $17830: an additional allow- ance was made to Mr. Baxter, and the whole charges when com- pleted were about $20000.
The COUNTY HOUSE OF CORRECTION, first occupied in November 1819, is situated east of the village, and not far from the Hospital. The front of the building, a large and handsome structure 53 by 27 feet, is occupied by the keeper's family, except the north side of the basement, where 3 cells are appropriated for solitary imprisonment, and the punishment of the refractory, fortunately but little used. The part used for confinement is in the rear of the keeper's apart- ments. The plan of construction first adopted was found to be bad : the rooms were large, and several convicts were, from neces- sity, placed together : so that sometimes, novices in crime were as- sociated with veteran offenders, and the establishment, with all vigi- lance and fidelity of supervision, was more the nursery of vice than the school of reformation. Impressed with the evils of this arrange- ment, the County Commissioners, in 1832, directed an alteration in conformity with a plan submitted by the Overseers, resembling that of the State's Prison in Charlestown. The whole interior was taken down, and another building erected within the exterior walls, divided into 40 cells, each 7 feet by 3 1-2 feet in size, 7 feet high, receiving light through iron doors properly made for the purpose, opening into the area around, which is warmed by stores. In the basement are three other rooms for confinement, and on the same floor with the kitchen is the sleeping apartment of the assistant keep- er, placed so as to afford him inspection of the area in front of the cells, and security from injury by the prisoners in case of revolt.
345
LUNATIC HOSPITAL.
In April 1835, a part of the building was appropriated for the county gaol ; and the two upper stories of cells, with the rooms above and below the kitchen, were occupied for that purpose. A brick building, 40 feet by 16, in the yard, connected with the house, furnishes work shops in the two lower stories : the third story, having ·6 rooms, is used for the confinement of females. There is, also a wooden building, which has been used for working stone. By a recent order of the County Commissioners, all persons confined in the House of Correction, able to Inbor, are to be constantly employ- ed according to their ability : if not acquainted with any mechanic trade, they work at the shoe business. Under this system, it is prob- able, the convicts will not only be able to remunerate the expenses of their support, but may form habits of industry and derive moral improvement.
The following statement shows the condition of the House of Correction during years, each ending in November.
1833.
1234.
1835.
1836.
Committed for crime,
5
15
11
14
for correction,
58
57
62
53
Discharged in the year,
48
54
56
63
Remaining Nov. 1,
15
18
17
21
Among those now in the establishment, are 3 lunatics sent from the hospital, and 5 insane persons supported there by their friends with the consent of the Commissioners.
John F. Clark has been keeper from the commencement : Nathan Heard and John W. Lincoln, are overseers.
LUNATIC HOSPITAL. This monument of the enlightened chari- ty of the government of the state, is situated on a beautiful eminence eastward of the town. 'The buildings of the west front, erected in 1831, consist of a centre, 76 feet long, 40 feet wide, and four stories high, projecting 22 feet forward of the wings which extend to the north and south ninety feet each on the front and 100 feet in the rear, are 36 feet wide, and three stories high. This arrangement was adopted, so as to secure free communication with the central struc- ture, occupied by the superintendent, steward, attendants, and do- mestics, and to permit the ventilation and lighting of the long halls reaching through the wings. The ranges of apartments for the in- sane, S feet by 10, have each a window, with the upper sash of cast iron and lower sash of wood, both glazed; on the exterior of the wooden sash is a false sash of iron, corresponding in its appearance
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346
CHURCHES.
and dimensions, but firmly set into the frame, giving the reality of a grate without its gloomy aspect. In 1835, a building 134 feet in length and 34 feet in width was attached to the southern extrem- ity of the hospital, of equal height, and extending eastward at right angles with the front ; in 1836, another edifice of the same magnitude, was placed at the north end. Three sides of a great square are now enclosed by these inimense structures of brick. Pro- vision is made for the diffusion of heat, the circulation of air, the supply of water ; and the most judicious regulations promote the health and comfort of the inmates.
In this hospital, those are placed under restraint by public authority, who are so furiously mad, that their liberty would en- danger the safety of the community. To feel its value, one must have heard the chained maniacs howling in the dungeons of the common gaols, in frantic excitement and hopeless misery, and seen the quiet of the great establishment where the insane receive every alleviation of their mental diseases, which fit accommodations, re- medial treatment, and high skill can bestow.
The institution has been under the superintendence of Dr. Sam- uel B. Woodward since its commencement. Its statistics are fully detailed in the reports annually made by the Trusteees to the Legis- lature.
CHURCHES. The first house appropriated for public worship, was built like the log huts of the planters, and placed near the intersec- tion of Green street by Franklin street, about 1717.
In 1719, a meeting house was built, under a contract with Mr. Constable, as architect, on the site of the present South Church. It was of respectable dimensions, but had no tower. At first, the area of the interior, floored, but otherwise unfinished, was occupied by benches. In 1723, a pulpit was set up, and the space divided into long seats ; and soon after, galleries were provided. In 1733, it was voted 'that the front of the gallery, the pulpit, and pillars, be colored and varnished, and the outside of the doors and windows; and the town thankfully accepts the ES offered by Col. Chandler, towards the same ; and being informed that Daniel Gookin, Esq. has been pleased to say, he would give something to said work, vo- ted, that a committee be desired to know of him what he will give towards said coloring and varnishing.' In 1748 a spire was erected.
In 1263 the Old South Meeting House, was built, 70 feet long, 55 feet wide, with 28 feet posts, at the expense of ££1512. There
347
CHURCHES.
were 61 square pews on the lower floor. That esteemed the best, on the west side of the pulpit, and directly under it, valued at f9, was assigned to Hon John Chandler, as an acknowledgment of his donation of 40 towards erecting the church. The highest price paid for pews was 9, the lowest £4 10s. In front of the pulpit, were two long pews, one for the deacons, the other for aged per- sons ; and along the head of the central aisle, were seven slips, for the free seats of men and women, placed on opposite sides. There were three porches, at the south, east, and west entrances, and a tower on the north surmounted by a spire, 130 feet high.
In the day of small things, the purchase of a bell was an impor- tant matter. After many conferences, the town and county united their funds for the purpose, and in May 1739, it was agreed, that the town would pay £60 towards procuring a bell weighing not less than 300 pounds, and half the expense of a frame for hanging it near a small tree, a little north of Capt. Daniel Heywood's, about midway between the meeting house and court house, 'to serve the town as well as the county.' In 1740, difficulties arose in completing the arrangements : the partnership was dissolved : the town paid &£140 pounds for the whole bell, and it was placed in the steeple.
The bell now used, cast by Revere and Sons, in Boston, in 1802, weighing 1975 pounds, bears this inscription
' The living to the church I call, And to the grave I summon all.'
The tower clock was made by Abel Stowell, in 1800.
The Old South Church has been enlarged, and is now 90 feet long, and 55 wide, having a vestry at the south end.
Unitarian Church. The first Meeting House of the Second Congregational Society, near Antiquarian Hall, on Summer street, was built by Ignatius Goulding and Elias Blake, on land given to the parish, June 16, 1791, by Charles and Samuel Chandler. It was a plain and neat edifice of wood. A bell was purchased, and a tower clock presented by Isaiah Thomas, Esq. both removed, and still used on the new church.
The new brick meeting house on Main street, was erected at an expense of about $13,000, on land purchased of Isaiah Thomas, Esq. at the cost of 84000.1 The foundation was laid August 11, 1823,
1 The following inscription was deposited under the corner stone of its foundation. This house was erected by the Unitarian Congregational Society, Worcester, for he worship of the one God, through the mediation of Jesus Christ. Foundation laid August 11, 1828. John Quincy Adams, President of the United States. Levi Lincoln,
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PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
when an address was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Hill,1 and religious services performed by the Rev. Dr. Bancroft.
This building is 75 feet from east to west, and 68 feet from north to south : the walls 31 feet in height, and the tower, sur- mounted by a cupola, 125 feet high. The floor is divided into 104 pews. It was dedicated Aug. 20, 1829. The highest price paid for pews was $337, the lowest SSO. This church has an organ purchased for $2000.
The Calvinist Church, on Main street, built in 1823, and en- larged in 1834, is 93 feet by 57 : the height of the spire 130 feet. There are 94 pews on the floor, which have been sold from $116 to $200 each. An organ has lately been purchased for $1700.
The Union Church, on Front street, built in 1936, is 90 by 54 feet in size, including a vestry, with a spire 130 feet high. The or- gan cost $1200.
The Baptist Church, east of the common, rebuilt in 1836, is 79 feet long, 50 wide, and has a spire 138 feet in height.
Christ Church, on Temple street, built in 1836, the Catholic place of worship, is a neat structure of the Grecian Doric order, 64 feet by 3:2, fronting to the south.
The Methodist Church, on Columbian avenue, built in 1836, is 66 feet long and 48 feet wide, with a spire about 100 feet high.
. The CENTRE SCHOOL HOUSE, on Main street, built in 1792, is about 60 by 30 feet, and its four apartments are occupied by the primary and female school, of the district.
The BRICK SCHOOL HOUSE, on Thomas street, built in 1832, 67 by 30 feet, is appropriated for the Latin grammar school, and high- er boys" schools.
The TOWN HALL, a neat brick building of fine architectural pro- portions, built in 1825, at an expense of about $10,000, is 54 by 64 feet. 'The basement is occupied for keeping fire apparatus, and for stores. A large hall on the first floor is used for town meetings, re- ligious exercises, and public lectures. There are two spacious and neat halls on the second floor. An address was delivered at the dedication, May 2, 1825, by Hon. John Davis.
Governor of Massachusetts. Rev. Aaron Bancroft, D. D. and Rev. Alonzo Hill, Pastors. Frederick W. Paine, Esq. Rejoice Newton, Esq., Deac. Alpheus Merrifield, Col. Samuel Ward, Capt. George T Rice, Capt. Lewis Barnard, Pliny Merrick, Esq. Building Committee. Elias Carter, Peler Kendall, Master Builders.
1 Published in the National Ægis, August 13, 1828.
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BURIAL PLACES.
ANTIQUARIAN HALL. The centre building erected by Isaiah Thomas, in 1819, is 46 feet long and 36 feet wide, with a cupola. Wings were extended in 1832, each 28 feet long and 21 feet wide.
WORCESTER COUNTY MANUAL LABOR HIGH SCHOOL. The Academy building is of brick, two stories in height, with a base- ment, and is 45 feet by 60 in exterior dimensions. The first story affords a convenient recitation room, and a chapel which may contain two hundred persons. The upper floor is divided into twelve rooms; one for the instructors ; one for library and appara- tus; and ten, neatly furnished, for the accommodation of students. A mansion with proper out buildings has been erected in the vi- cinity of the Academy for the residence of the superintendent and students.
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